WANER, ROBERT L.
Robert Lloyd “Bob” Waner, age 85, of McPherson, KS, and formerly of Florence, Kansas passed away at 10:15 AM, Sunday, July 17th, 2005 at Memorial Hospital, McPherson, Kansas.
Bob, the son of Andrew and Frances (Garrison) Waner, was born March 14, 1920 on a farm near Florence, Kansas. He attended school in the rural Florence area and as a young man he worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps, helping to plant shelter belts around the state.
Bob was gathering cattle from a pasture near Cedar Point, Kansas on the morning of December 7, 1941. Upon learning of the attack on Pearl Harbor, he immediately joined the United States Marine Corps. After completing boot camp he was assigned to the elite “Carlson’s Raiders.” After the Raider unit was disbanded he was assigned to the 5th Marine Division, 2nd Battalion. As a Marine rifleman, he saw action on Midway Island, Guadalcanal, Bougainville and Iwo Jima. He also participated in the Occupation of Japan.
Bob was awarded the Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry against the enemy on Iwo Jima on March 22, 1945. He was wounded in combat in this same action and was awarded the Purple Heart.
Sergeant Robert Waner was honorably discharged in 1946. In their later years, Bob and Ruth attended numerous Raider reunions and 5th Marine Division reunions around the country.
Returning to Kansas following the war, Bob began working as a carpenter in the Junction City and Wichita areas.
Bob was united in marriage to Ruth Marie Adler on November 4, 1947 at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Rectory, Florence, Kansas.
Bob’s love of the grasslands and cattle brought him and his family to the Diamond Creek Ranch in Wilsey, Kansas. There, for 10 years, he managed a registered Hereford cow/calf operation for the CK Ranch. Following their time at the CK, Bob and Ruth purchased a farm located north of Florence. They farmed the land, raised cattle and hogs and put up lots of hay. In their spare time they began a custom hoofing trimming business which took them to dairy farms all over the Midwest. This was the beginning of a three generation business that continues today with their grandson L. D. Waner.
Retirement brought them to McPherson, Kansas in 1989. Although they moved to town, you just can’t take the country out of some folks. Bob was one of those folks! Even though he was officially retired, he was able to still do farm work for Larry Weibert. This did wonders for his heart and soul! Bob was a true cowboy. You could always count on Bob to be in his signature outfit: wranglers, western shirt, boots and hat. If you could not find Bob working at the Weibert farm, you could find him enjoying a good western novel.
Bob not only loved the country he loved his bride, Ruth. Wherever Bob was, you can be sure that Ruth was not far away. They were definitely a twosome. They had over 57 wonderful years of marriage and companionship.
Bob you are loved so much and will be missed!
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Paul Waner; a sister, Ruth Garland; and a son-in-law, Loren Lundberg.
Surviving members of his family include his loving and devoted wife, Ruth, of the home, McPherson, Kansas; his daughter Barbara J. “BJ” Roe and her husband Steve, of Galva, Kansas; his son, Alan R. Waner and his wife Doreen, of Ogallala, Nebraska; his sister, Dorothy Hoffman and her husband Roger, of Florence, Kansas; his brothers, John Waner, of Marion, Kansas, Vernon Waner and his wife Henrietta, of Marion, Kansas, and George Wilfred Waner and his wife Wanda, of Junction City, Kansas; five grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.
Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 21, 2005, Holy Family St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Florence, Kansas. Interment Mount Calvary Cemetery, Florence, Kansas. Military graveside rites will be provided by members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2715 and the American Legion Post 24, both of McPherson.